Mark Twain Mission Statement

Mark Twain Elementary is a community of life-long learners, built upon a collaborative spirit that fosters inquiry-based learning.  Our purpose is to promote and develop responsible, active and reflective world citizens.

Welcome to the FIFTH GRADE UNIVERSITY

By now you probably know that we have started Fifth Grade Exhibition!  Already the children are examining issues that effect the human condition, and thinking of ways that affect principled change. 

Join us at our blogspot and hear and read what we are doing with Exhibition:    www.5gradeuniversity.blogspot.com/

Below are some frequently asked questions:

Q.What is Exhibition?

Through collaborative research and reflective action, the children explore current issues using all of the knowledge and skills accumulated throughout their elementary school careers! With this knowledge and these skills, the children develop a plan of action concerning an issue, then share their journey through the process at a community gathering, which will be held at the end of May.

Q. How is Exhibition graded?

During the process of Exhibition, the students will interact with their normal subjects, e.g. math, science, language, and social, in the most authentic of ways.  They will be graded on the ability to put their knowledge into action, with self-reflection being a large part of the process. Unlike many of our studies, the process will be graded, instead of the product.  How involved in self-reflection?  How is math used to express ideas?  How well is research conducted and cited?  How well do the students cooperate and collaborate?  How well do students plan and think out courses of action?  Do plans reflect research and time invested?  These are some of the questions that determine the grading process during Exhibition.

I will act as a facilitator, helping them to extend their understandings to reach planned goals. The second grade teachers, as well as Twain specialists( Lowry, Filis, Bardin, Daniel, Cowan, and Coach Jody), will provide fresh perspective and support throughout the process as well.

Of course the most essential grade is the growth that occurs;skills are honed, and knowledge is explored and extended.  At the end of May, join us in celebration as the fifth graders share Exhibition with the community!

The Exhibition requires communicating in a variety of languages, including mathematical. Data Handling (whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents) and communicating (constructing charts and graphs) will make up the majority of our math during the time of Exhibition.

In the Everday Math Reference book, the concepts in chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 will be reinforced during this time.   

The following pages will be especially helpful:

Statistics pp.114-128

The 5th Grade Science TAKS will be given on April 30th.  Below are some sites that allow the taking of the test online, complete with scoring! 

1. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2006/grade5/science/5science.htm
2. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2003/grade5/science.htm

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Study Tips

• Our Math,  Science, and Social Studies books are  excellent reference resources, providing students opportunites to practice navigating non-fiction text.  Please encourage the use of these resources when your child has questions at home.

• Practice.  So much of fifth grade math is seeing the connections between numbers based on common factors, understanding well the relationship between multiplication and division,  and an immediate recall of multiplication/division facts. Please practice facts daily for instant recall.
• Check you child's homework each night with your signature. This not only helps us to communicate, but builds organizational skills in your child that are needed for middle school.  As part of homework each night, make sure your child's binder is organized and any homework is ready to be turned in with a proper heading including name, date, and title.

  Kidsites

• Problem Solving Critical thinking
• Math Cafe Practice! Practice! Practice!
• Time 100 Brief bios of Time Magazine's Most Influential People
• Virtual Math Manipulatives Great for improving your math skills
• Student's Classroom 
• Interactice Resources 
• Student Poetry Site 
• National Geographic Quiz Site

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at mmitche5@houstonisd.org or from the Schoolnotes contact link.